Prospects to watch in Padres On Deck game

Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune

The second annual prospect game at Petco Park, the Padres On Deck Game will pit the team's instructional league against a team of Rangers prospects. The Padres won last year's meeting. Click through for a glance at who to look for in today's game.

The second annual prospect game at Petco Park, the Padres On Deck Game will pit the team's instructional league against a team of Rangers prospects. The Padres won last year's meeting. Click through for a glance at who to look for in today's game. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

He was 16 years old when his status as the 2016 international class’ No. 2 prospect (Baseball America) earned him a $4 million signing bonus from the Padres. At the time, international scouting director Chris Kemp deemed Almanzar “the best hitter in the whole world market” and the Padres pushed him with an assignment to the Northwest League to start his pro career. He fashioned a .597 OPS but projects as a plus hitter who with above-average power as he matures and quite possibly outgrows the position. He’s already played nearly as many games at third base (31) as shortstop (32), but has plenty of arm strength for the throws across the diamond.

He was 16 years old when his status as the 2016 international class’ No. 2 prospect (Baseball America) earned him a $4 million signing bonus from the Padres. At the time, international scouting director Chris Kemp deemed Almanzar “the best hitter in the whole world market” and the Padres pushed him with an assignment to the Northwest League to start his pro career. He fashioned a .597 OPS but projects as a plus hitter who with above-average power as he matures and quite possibly outgrows the position. He’s already played nearly as many games at third base (31) as shortstop (32), but has plenty of arm strength for the throws across the diamond. (Tri-City Dust Devils)